Energy Efficiency Targets

Note: The Public Utilities Commission approved the Triennial Plan VI (Fiscal Years 2026-2028) in late April 2025.Origin

In June 2009, Maine enacted the Act Regarding Maine's Energy Future, which established the Efficiency Maine Trust (EMT). The targets have since been updated, and currently are:

• Reducing peak load electricity consumption by the maximum achievable amount
• Achieving the maximum achievable electricity and natural gas savings
• Creating private sector jobs providing alternative energy and energy efficiency products and service
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the state climate plan
• 175,000 additional heat pumps by 2027
• 35,000 homes weatherized by 2030
• 220,000 battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids registered by 2030

Triennial plans must be approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). The first triennial plan was approved by the Commission in July 2010, and expired at the end of 2013. The overall goals and the programs are directed at consumers rather than utilities. Currently, the plan which covers Fiscal Year 2023-2025 is in effect.

Electric and Natural Gas Sales and Demand Reductions

In pursuance of these goals, the Trust must develop triennial plans describing a three-year plan, programs, and implementation strategies for reaching these goals, as well as other energy efficiency and renewable energy goals. The approved plan spanning the current 2026-2028 triennial plan period, approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission, can be found here.
Program Administrator Type

The EMT administers all the programs required for meeting the state's targets during each triennial period, and serves as Maine's "energy efficiency utility".

Cost-Effectiveness and Program Evaluation

The EMT (and the MPUC) uses the Total Resource Cost (TRC) test, one of the five "California tests" from the California Standard Practice Manual, as its primary test for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of its programs.

Utility Cost Recovery Measures

The EMT's programs are funded by a variety of funding sources, including revenues from the ISO New England Forward Capacity Market (FCM), the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and Maine's System Benefit Charge.

While Central Maine Power recently received permission to decouple its revenue from its sales, it is currently the only utility pursuing such an approach.